"When one of his partials broke in two places, Newton finally scheduled an appointment. But instead of calling his wife's private practice dentist, he went to a nearby new clinic specifically for seniors that he had heard about from his friends."

"In June, Geriatric Dental Group opened the clinic aimed at people 55 and older and those in wheelchairs. The group opened a similar senior clinic in Portland more than 30 years ago and looked to expand in Washington. The Washington Dental Service Foundation gave the non-profit group a $225,000 grant to help get it started."

"Oral disease is a serious health concern for those over age 60. Physicians say oral disease can interfere with nutrition and has been linked to other serious illnesses including diabetes, heart disease and strokes. If not caught early, oral health problems can grow more painful and more expensive to treat. "

""We've talked about the drastic need for senior dental care here and we've set fees that allows the clinic to operate but gives patients affordable care," said Amy Linder, director of Geriatric Dental Group."

"She said the dental group fees run about 20 to 40 percent lower than private practices to help make visits more affordable to seniors. The clinic also offers flexible payment plans. She said the clinic has three part-time dentists and is looking to expand its staff. The wheelchair-accessible facility includes oversized examining and treatment rooms. "

"Linder said in the next couple of months, the group wants to add a mobile dental unit that will travel to nursing homes and to those who can't leave their homes for dental care."

""Our research shows that there is a significant need in the Puget Sound area and actually all of Washington for affordable oral health services targeting seniors and the disabled," said Laura Smith, interim president and chief executive office of Washington Dental Service Foundation. "We're pleased to have played a role in bringing this non-profit clinic to
... read the whole article